HCCC Response to Budget 2015

OTTAWA , ON--(Marketwired - April 22, 2015) - The Health Charities Coalition of Canada (HCCC) applauds the Federal Government commitment to supporting caregivers by expanding the Compassionate Care Benefit Program under Employment Insurance. "Family caregivers play a vital role in our current healthcare system. Increases in the prevalence of chronic disease combined with an aging society and the shift towards community based health care all contribute to increased demands on families to provide care for their loved ones. The expansion of the Compassionate Care Program sends an important message that family caregivers are valued," says Pamela Fralick, Chair of the Health Charities Coalition of Canada.

A recent Statistics Canada report identified that at some point in their lives nearly half (46%) of Canadians aged 15 and older, or 13 million Canadians, have provided care to a family member or friend with a long-term health condition, disability or aging needs. Expansion of the Compassionate Care Benefit program from 6 weeks to 6 months will go a long way in providing financial support to the 6.1 million employed Canadians who are providing care to a family member or friend.

"Family caregivers frequently provide care for a family member who is gravely ill, dying, or living with a chronic disease or serious condition that flares up at times. This caregiving comes at great cost financially as well as in putting demands on their time, health and well-being. We applaud the measures announced today that make caregiving easier," said Rick Blickstead, Vice-Chair, HCCC and President of the Canadian Diabetes Association.

HCCC members look forward to working with Members of Parliament and the Government of Canada to improve access to the Compassionate Care Benefit to ensure that family caregivers are supported.

In addition to supporting caregivers, HCCC is pleased to see continued Federal investment into the expansion of the Strategy for Patient Oriented Research under the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the announcement of funding to support the establishment of the Canadian Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation.

About the Health Charities Coalition of Canada

Established in 2000, HCCC, a member based organization, is dedicated to advocating for sound public policy on health issues and promoting the highest quality health research. HCCC strives for excellence in health policy and seeks to ensure that the federal government and policy makers look to the Coalition and its members for timely advice and leadership on major health issues of concern to Canadians; and that they recognize the competence, commitment and contributions of health charities in improving the health and well-being of Canadians.